Light Up Downtown, the magical, musical, holiday jamboree and ELFstravaganza in downtown Canton, is happening on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The whole family will be entertained and enchanted at this year's Light Up Downtown, presented by the Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber. During the evening, kids and kids-at-heart are invited to watch as 16 city blocks come alive with attractions, entertainment, refreshments and fun for children of all ages. Best of all, this event is free. This year’s Light Up will feature Christopher Pop-In-Kins, every child’s favorite elf, in a very special musical main stage show that will light up the skies and your spirits with community musical acts, fantastic fireworks and a visit from Santa. liMore than 100 local performers will take to the stage along Market Square (301 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton). The event pre-show, sponsored by Mix 94.1, will run from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by the main stage show and fireworks. After the show concludes, there will be carriage rides, singing and local dance troupe performances, children’s crafts and activities more. The downtown center city is transformed into a winter wonderland for the occasion, and local businesses will provide activities and refreshments. Street Closings and Parking Light Up Downtown will run until 8:30 p.m. and will be held snow, rain or shine. Market Avenue will be closed from 7th Street S. to 6th Street N. to vehicle traffic from 4:30 to 10 p.m. There will be plenty of free parking, both on-street and in the Timken High School and Stark County District Library parking lots, as well as parking in various decks and lots throughout downtown for a nominal fee, including: Millennium Parking Deck, located on the west side of Walnut Ave., between 2nd and 3rd St.; City Centre Parking Deck, located at 120 Cleveland Ave. S; and New Market Deck, located at 233 Market Ave. S. Hat and Mitten Donations During the event, the Canton City Fire Department will distribute hats and mittens to children in need. Donations of new children's hats and mittens should be dropped off at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, or other downtown Canton locations, between now and the Light Up event. Visit LightUpDowntown.com for a list of all donation locations. Event sponsors to date include Key Bank along with AEP Ohio, Aultman Health Foundation, the City of Canton, Kenan Advantage Group,Downtown Canton Special Improvements District, H-P Products,Lowe's Home Improvement, The Repository,Mix 94.1and News-Talk 1480WHBC AM, Motter & Meadows Architects, andPPI Graphics. Visit LightUpDowntown.com for more details and to view event photos from previous years. Light Up Downtown is also on Facebook. About Christopher Pop-In-Kins™ and Imaginatives® Christopher Pop-In-Kins, written and published in 1985 by Flora Johnson of Atwater, Ohio, is the award winning story of Santa's "very first Children's Elf." Imaginatives is the creative team behind Christopher Pop-In-Kins. Located in Alliance, Ohio, Imaginatives specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of children's books and toys. For more information, visit Christopher Pop-In-Kins online at www.ChristopherPopInKins.com.